A glimpse of the Sulabh technologies are scientifically appropriate, economically affordable, indigenous and culturally acceptable and take care of untouchability.

1. Sanitation & Water Technologies Developed
By
Sulabh International Social Service Organisation
INDOVATION 2015
Innovation in Water & Sanitation Technologies
Organized By
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
at
Hotel Radisson Blue, Sector-13, Dwarka, New Delhi
on
23-24 January 2015
By:
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Ph. D., D. Litt.
Sociologist & Social Reformer
Founder, Sulabh Sanitation Movement

2. Sulabh International Social Service Organisation
 Founded in 1970 by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.
 Based on the Gandhian philosophy.
 Nationally and Internationally acclaimed organization.
 NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of
United Nations.
 Working all over the country as well as in Afghanistan, Africa and different
parts of the world.
 Social work force of over 50,000 volunteers.
 The need to branch into Sulabh Sanitation was attended to by forming Sulabh
School Sanitation Club.
2
Dr. Pathak invented the following technologies:
About organisation
 Two Pit Pour Flush Compost Toilet commonly known as Sulabh Shauchalaya.
 Human excreta based Biogas Plant.
 Sulabh Effluent Treatment Technology.
 Construction and maintenance of Public Toilets on “Pay & Use” basis.

3. 3
India had and has the
problems of defecation in
the open and manual
cleaning of nightsoil by
untouchables called human
scavengers. Gandhi was the
first person whose attention
was drawn to find out
solutions of these problems.

4. 4
Shri Narendra Modi is the
first Prime Minister of India
who has given importance to
sanitation and toilets after
Mahatma Gandhi.
To pay tribute to Mahatma on
his 150th Birth Anniversary,
he in his speech on 15th
August 2014 called upon the
people to end the practice of
defecation in open by 2019.
“It is our social responsibility as citizens of
India to help fulfil Gandhiji’s vision of
Clean India , by his 150th birth
anniversary in 2019.”
— Shri Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

5. SANITATION SCENARIO
 Asia, Africa & Latin America lagged in adopting the
technologies of septic tank & sewerage system as these
were not economically affordable.
 Just for example, the sewers were laid in Kolkata, India in
1870 and after 145 years only around 300 towns/cities out
of 7000 towns are sewer based and that too partially. At this
rate, without further growth of towns and cities, it will take
many centuries to provide sewerage system in urban India.
 Women, the worst sufferers, had to go out for open
defecation in the dark – before sunrise or after sunset. Their
dignity was at risk, subjected to criminal assaults and
occasionally suffer from snake bites.

6. Need for New Technological Order
In later part of 60’s, I felt the need for a new
technological order to overcome the problem of
human scavenging, stop defecation in open and safe
and hygienic disposal of human wastes.
WHO publication on ‘Excreta Disposal for Rural Areas
and Small Communities’ by two sanitation engineers,
Edmund A. Wagner and J.N. Lanoix, left a lasting
lifetime’s impression in Dr. Pathak’s mind. The book
mentioned:
“Suffice it to say here that out of the heterogeneous
mass of latrine designs produced all over the world, the
sanitary pit privy emerges as the most practical and
universally applicable type.”

7. Turning to the role of an Engineer
• The suggestions in WHO publication were for the
application of this technology only in rural areas.
• However, I thought that for the soil conditions
of rural and urban areas, the same technology
can be used.
• I felt that this technology, after some
improvement, could be a viable alternative to
scavenging.
• Keeping this in view, I innovated, modified and
developed alternatives to suit the urban
conditions; at the same time, making many new
designs for different site
conditions.

8. WHO criteria for sanitary latrine
Seven conditions to meet the criteria for a Sanitary Latrine:
• The surface soil should not be contaminated.
• There should be no contamination of the ground water that may
enter by way of springs or wells.
• There should be no contamination of the surface water.
• Excreta should not be accessible to flies or animals.
• There should be no handling of fresh excreta. Or, when this was
indispensable, it should be restricted to the barest minimum.
• There should be freedom from odours or unsightly conditions.
• The method used should be simple and inexpensive in construction
and operation.

9. Technological Innovation
The perusal of WHO’s books helped Dr.
Pathak to develop a technology which has
proved to be revolutionary.
Sulabh International Social Service
Organization was founded in 1970 with a
purpose to:
• restore the human rights and dignity
of the untouchable scavengers;
• help stop defecation in the open; and
• provide safe and hygienic toilets to
all.

10. Technologies Developed
I invented, innovated and developed the
following technologies:
1. Sulabh two-pit, pour-flush, compost toilet
for individual household use.
2. Sulabh Public toilet on ‘Pay and Use’ for
public places in non-sewered areas.
3. Biogas Digester linked to Sulabh Public
Toilet for biogas generation.
4. Sulabh Effluent Treatment Plant for
treatment of water discharged from biogas
plant.
Sulabh technologies are scientifically
appropriate, economically affordable,
indigenous and culturally acceptable and take
care of untouchability. Scavengers have been
liberated through Sulabh ‘Nai Disha’ –
(Darkness to Light) programme from the sub-
human occupation of cleaning and carrying
human excreta as head-load for its disposal.

11. Technology for Sustainable Sanitation
Sulabh two-pit, pour-flush, compost toilet
• In the Sulabh toilets there are
two pits, one used at a time
and the other is kept as
standby. When the first pit fills
up, the excreta is switched
over to the other one.
• Both the pits are used
alternately. In the first pit after
a period of two years, human
excreta gets converted into
manure.
Sulabh Toilet with circular pits.

12. 12
WATER SAVING P-TRAP USED IN
SULABH TWO PIT POUR FLUSH COMPOST TOILET
It requires only 1 to 1.5 litres of water to flush
Ceramic Pan with 25° to
28° slope
P – trap is between
12-20 mm water seal
Pre-cast P-trap

13. The manure is taken out from the pit by the beneficiaries without
involving scavengers as it is odourless, pathogen-free, semi-solid
containing 1.8% nitrogen, 1.6% phosphate and 1% potassium. 13
Taking out of manure from pit of a Sulabh toilet

14. 14
Manure from Human Excreta The manure is a rich fertilizer and soil conditioner which
improves the productivity of the field and fruits and flowers, when used for agriculture/
horticulture.

15. 15
The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space –
courtyard of a house or in the bedroom.
The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

16. Sulabh pour-flush toilet for linear space with common dividing wall in a narrow lane16
The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

17. Sulabh pour-flush toilet for least space with the toilet on top of the pits 17
The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in the minimum possible space

18. Different Designs of Sulabh two-pit,
pour - flush, compost Toilet
• Sulabh toilet design depends on soil condition, size of the family,
land availability, paying capacity of the beneficiary and availability of
local material. There are more than 40 standard designs of Toilets
are available with Sulabh for application.
• The Sulabh toilet has been designed in such a way that the poorest
of the poor, middle class and even the rich people can have the
facilities of Sulabh toilets because the cost of construction is
affordable and can vary from US$ 50 to US$ 1100.
• The technology remains the same, only the building materials differ
and the period of cleaning of the pits. The minimum period of
cleaning a pit is 2 years and maximum 40 years. Because the pits in
the Sulabh toilets are earth based, having holes in the walls, gases
are absorbed in the soil. This helps reduce global warming and
improves the climate change.

19. High yield of fruits High yield of crops
The manure is a rich fertilizer and is a soil conditioner
which improves the productivity of the field and fruits and
flowers, when used for agriculture/ horticulture.
19

20. DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF SULABH TWO PIT, POUR FLUSH,
COMPOST TOILET
Cost Rs. 8,975/-) Cost Rs. 11,835/-)
The cheapest toilet with jute on
all sides on bamboo frame
Superstructure made of thatched palm
matting – affordable for poor people. 20

21. Cost Rs. 12,655/-) Cost Rs. 19,022 /-)
Cost Rs. 16,600/-)
Cost Rs. 21,700 /-)
Thatched wall with roof on baboo frame Brick wall with no door
Brick wall with jute curtain
Circular design without door and roof for
people who feel claustrophobic. 21

22. Cost Rs. 24,460/-) Cost Rs. 27,310/-)
Cost Rs. 1,04,510/-)
Toilet walls made of bricks with roof and
wooden door- more expensive
Brick toilet for those people who can
afford to spend more money
Even the rich can get constructed Sulabh two-pit, pour flush toilets where
there is no sewerage. The pits can be cleaned after 40 years 22

23. Panoramic View of Different Designs of Sulabh Two-Pit, Pour-Flush,
Compost Toilets
In the Sulabh two-pit technology there is flexibility of design which the
beneficiary can choose depending upon his affordability and size of family.
23

24. LINING OF PITS
Stone
Can be lined from locally available materials
Burnt ClayWooden Logs Cement Concrete Ring
Brick
24

25. 25
Sulabh toilets can be constructed in the upper floors of buildings.

26. The Sulabh toilet can be constructed in areas where the water-table is high, in
waterlogged, flood prone and high sub-soil water areas where the pits could be
raised. 26

27. The platforms on the Sulabh pits can be used for a variety
of purposes like cooking, chopping fish, chaffing grains
and running a small shop
27

28. 28
Advantages of Sulabh Toilets
 Hygienically and technically appropriate and socio-culturally
acceptable.
 Affordable and easy to construct with locally available
materials.
 Design and specifications can be modified to suit
householder's needs and affordability.
 Eliminates mosquito, insect and fly breeding.
 Can be constructed in different physical, geological and
hydrogeological conditions
 Free from health hazards and does not pollute surface or
ground water, if proper precautions and safeguards are taken
during construction.
 Can be located within the premises as it is free from foul smell
and fly/mosquito nuisance etc.
 Can be constructed on upper floors of houses.

29. 29
 Pits are generally designed for 3-year desludging
interval, but if desired, it can be designed for longer
periods or it can be reduced even to two years.
 Maintenance is easy, simple and costs very little.
 Needs only 1 liter of water for flushing, while
conventional flush toilet needs 10 liter of water.
 Needs less space than a septic tank toilet system.
 Does not need scavengers for cleaning the pits or
disposal of sludge. This can be done by the
householder.
 Makes available rich fertilizer and soil conditioner.
 Can be easily connected to sewers when introduced
in the area.
 A low volume flushing cistern could be attached to
avoid pour flushing.

30.  The Sulabh two-pit toilet is free from all health hazards and does not
pollute ground water or drinking water sources like hand pumps, wells
etc. if proper precautions are taken in its construction.
 A Sulabh toilet can be constructed at a distance of 30 feet from a well or
a 15 feet from a hand-pump and no distance is required if there is
provision of piped water supply.
 If there is a space constraint, then the well nearby should be plastered
from inside up to 30 feet, so that there is no chance of pollution.
30
Hand-pump WellSulabh two-pit, pour flush,
compost toilet
15 feet
30 feet
Prevention from Contamination of Ground Water

31. Sulabh Shauchalaya
(Two Pit Pour Flush
Compost Toilet
at
Hirmathla
(Haryana)
Total Cost Rs. 15000/-
Rs. 12,000/- Railtel
Corporation
Rs. 3,000/- Beneficiary
Contribution
Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by
Sulabh in the villages of Haryana
31

32. Sulabh Shauchalaya
(Two-pit, pour-flush
compost toilet)
Cost
(Rs. 22,000/-.
Now Rs. 36,013/- )
Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by
Sulabh in the villages of Bihar
32

33. Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed by
Sulabh in the villages of Jharkhand
Sulabh Shauchalaya
(Two-pit, pour-flush
compost toilet
at Jharkhand)
Cost
(Rs. 30,000/-.
Now Rs. 35,800/-)
33

34. Sulabh Shauchalaya
(Two Pit Pour Flush
Compost Toilet)
Cost Rs. 18,500/-
Cost borne by the State
Government of Punjab.
Now Rs. 21,820/-
Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya constructed
by Sulabh in the villages of Punjab
34

35. 35
Picture of Sulabh Shauchalaya
constructed by Sulabh in the
villages of Punjab

36.  Contacting the house-owners to
convince and persuade them for the
conversion of dry latrines into Sulabh
Shauchalayas (toilets) or new toilets.
 Processing of forms by Local Bodies.
 Sulabh workers complete the
construction of toilets based on the
choice of the houseowner selected
from a wide range of design options.
 Certificate of completion is given by
the beneficiaries.
 With this strategy 1.2 million toilets
have been constructed by Sulabh.
36
Methodology and delivery system adopted by Sulabh for
construction of toilets

37. Septic tank – inherent problem
 Require more space.
 The construction needs regular
technical assistance and
supervision.
 Needs ventilation, which adds to
cost.
 De-sludging of septic tank needed
on regular basis. The sludge and
effluent from a septic tank can not
be used as a fertilizer straight away
without causing health hazards.
 De-sludging of septic tank is not
done regularly thereby causing
health hazards and add to
environmental problems.

38.  In 1973, Dr. Pathak introduced the system
of maintenance of public toilets on “pay
and use” basis. Initially there were
skeptical views about its success.
 But on the very first day 500 people used
the public toilet in Patna, Bihar.
 However it took several years to convince
the Government and the people.
 Earlier people were not habituated to
paying for the use of public toilets.
 In Sulabh public toilet complexes with
attached biogas digesters, the gases are
put to different uses like cooking,
warming, lighting or power generation.
 More than 8000 community based pay
and use toilet are maintained by Sulabh
presently.
Public Toilet Complexes

39. AMENITIES
INSIDE
SULABH TOILET
COMPLEXES

40. Cloak room facility at Sulabh Toilet
Complex, Shirdi, Nasik, Maharashtra
40
Inside View – ‘Dormitory’ Sulabh Toilet
Complex at Deoghar, Jharkhand.
Facilities for lockers for keeping belongings, safe drinking water,
telephone facilities, night shelter, health centre, etc. are
provided in Sulabh toilet complexes.

41. Wash Basin for Hand Wash – Inside view of Sulabh Toilet Complex, Delhi.

42. Hand Drier facility – Ethiopian Ambassador to India, Her Excellency Ms. Genet
Zewide using the facility at Panch Batti Sulabh Toilet Complex at Jaipur, Rajasthan.

43. •Public toilets are now working as Public health centers. We have installed condom
vending machines and are providing condoms to check population growth and
diseases like HIV/AIDS.
HEALTH & HYGIENE

44. 44Inside View - Sulabh Toilet Complex, Taj Mahal, Agra

45. 45
Sulabh Toilet Complex at Donapaula, Panji, Goa.

46. 46A view of Sulabh Toilet Complex at Sanaganeri Gate, Jaipur, Rajasthan

47. Sulabh Toilet Complex – New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi.

48. Even when the temperature in Kabul went down to -30 C in 2007, these biogas plants
worked very well. Hence this technology is suitable for both cold as well as warm
climates 48
Sulabh Toilet Complex at Kabul, Afghanistan

49. 49
Child friendly Toilet known as “Bal Mitra Sauchalaya” - Inside view, Bhopal, India

50. ENERGY FROM WASTE
Recycling and Reuse of Human Waste
Dr. Pathak developed another technology for complete recycling
of human excreta through biogas generation and on-site
treatment of effluents through a simple and convenient
technology for its safe reuse without health or environmental risk.

51. 51
Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) System

52. 52
Public Toilet linked to Biogas Digester and Sulabh
Effluent Treatment (SET) device
•The water discharged is treated by passing it through
sedimentation chamber, sand filter, aeration tank, charcoal and
through ultra violet rays.

53. • The effluent discharged from public toilet, after treatment, becomes so
pure that its Biochemical Oxygen Demand is less than ten milligram per
litre.
•This water is safe for discharge into rivers or water bodies, without
polluting them. This also prevents pollution from the sewage. It can also be
used for cleaning of floors of public toilets.
• Both these technologies are suitable for market places, housing colonies,
high-rise buildings, public places, schools, colleges, hospitals etc.
Sulabh Effluent Treatment (SET) System

54. Human Excreta Based Biogas Digester Linked To
A Public Toilet Complex
54

55. Human excreta based Biogas Technology
From public toilets human excreta goes inside the
digester and biogas is produced without any chemical,
bacteria or change agents. Only 10-20 kgs. of cow dung is
required to be put inside the digester on the first day of
use. The biogas produced is then channelized for lighting
mantle lamps, warming oneself in winters, cooking and
also for conversion into energy for street lighting.

56. Biogas used to warm oneself in winter
Uses of Biogas
Biogas used for lighting of
mantle lamps
56
His Excellency Timothy J. Roemer former, Ambassador of
USA to India trying his hand in frying a papadam

57. Ignition of compressed biogas is done through battery operated spark system
and run 100% on biogas.
Biogas used for electricity generation

58. Sulabh Effluent Treatment Plant
58
 Biogas effluent treated through sedimentation tank, aeration tank, sand filter, activated
charcoal followed by Ultra Violet (UV) rays.
 After the treatment the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) reduced to less than 10
milligram per litre.
 Treated effluent turns colourless, odourless and pathogen-free. Can be used as liquid
manure.
 Safe for aquaculture, agriculture, gardening & discharging into water body.

59. The water from Sulabh Toilet is also treated through
Ultra Violet filter and the BOD in this water is less
than 10 which is good for use in the field or to
discharge in river bodies.
59

60. 60
PUBLIC TOILET LINKED TO BIOGAS DIGESTER AND SULABH
EFFLUENT TREATMENT (SET) DEVICE
The water discharged is treated by passing it through
sedimentation chamber, sand filter, aeration tank, charcoal and
through ultra violet rays.

61. The BBC World
News Series,
Horizons has
featured Sulabh
technology amongst
the five inventions
of the world.
61
How one simple solution is already bringing better sanitation to
an estimated 10 million people a day.
Dr. Pathak and Ms. Ragini Vaidyanathan of the BBC at the human excreta
based biogas plant a Sulabh technology at Sulabh Gram

62. Duckweed Based Waste Water Treatment
• This waste water
treatment is suitable for
population less than one lac.
•A fast growing free floating
plant.
• Reduces BOD,COD of
waste water.
• Contains up to 30 %
protein.
62

63. •Complete feed for fish.
• In duckweed treated water
fish is grown.
• 8-10 tons of fish per ha. of
pond/annum can be
harvested
63
contd....

64. 3. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Water Hyacinth
• Water Hyacinth is an
aquatic, seasonal weed and
the advantage of this weed is
that –
• It is a good substrate for
biogas generation.

65. 65
• Biogas is non functional in summer due to non
availability of water hyacinth. The biogas can be
produced throughout the year by harvesting, drying
and pulverising this weed.
• The biogas generation shows better result when fed
with dried water hyacinth and increase the gas
production.

66. Sulabh Thermophilic Aerobic Composting (STAC)
Technology for Solid Waste Management
•A plant of GI sheet having double
wall filled with glass wool, partitioned
with perforated sheet into three
chambers.
•Requires 8 – 10 days to make
compost from any biodegradable
waste.
•No manual handling.
•It functions at low temperature also
More suitable for housing colonies,
hostels, hilly areas. 66

67. 67
The benefits of this technology :
• Organic solid waste can be efficiently converted into
manure and soil conditioner, giving economic return.
• It can control diseases transmitted from waste; as at
high temperature pathogens are eliminated from it.
•Due to a reduction in volume, cartage costs of waste to
disposal sites or for land filling will be greatly reduced.
• Spread of weeds from waste will also be controlled.
contd…

68. STAC– Maklorganj (Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh) Project
68

69. Vermi-Composting
69
• It is the end product of the
breakdown of organic matter
by some species of
earthworm.
• Vermi-compost is a nutrient
rich natural fertilizer and soil
conditioner.
• The process of producing
vermi-compost is called
vermi-composting.

70. 70
Benefits of Composting
• Direct employment in composting
• Economic gain through sale of
compost & earth-worms
• Reduce dependency on chemical
fertilizer for agriculture purpose
• Reduce the expenditure of
Municipal body on transportation of
Solid Wastes.
• Reduce the need for new landfill site
• Prevention of pollution caused by
Solid waste
• Reduce green house gas.
Compost ready to use

71. The project is a Pilot Project of Sulabh International with
the aim to ensure arsenic-free safe drinking water at a very
low expenditure at only a cost of 50 paise per litre.

72. Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and
Social Reform Movement inaugurating the “Water
Treatment Plant” as part of Sulabh Safe Drinking Water
Project in Madhusudankati Gram, Kolkata.

74. Water from the ponds or
the river is pumped into
over-head reservoir into a
flocculating tank where
chemicals (alum and
bleaching powder) are
mixed to settle. Water is
then passed through a
slow sand filter. Filtered
water is then collected in a
clear water reservoir, from
where the water is passed
through fine membranes of
varying size (60µ, 40µ, 10µ,
1µ). Then water treated
with UV ray to make it
totally bacteria free.

77. SULABH DRINKING WATER ATM

79. IMPORTANT
ACTIVITIES –
SWACHH BHARAT
ABHIYAN

80. CLEAN INDIA CAMPAIGN –Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the
“Swacch Bharat Campaign” on October 2, 2014 in which Sulabh also
participated with a large number of its volunteers sweeping the roads.

82. THREE DAYS INTERNATIOANL TOILET
FESTIVAL ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD
TOILET DAY FROM NOVEMBER 18-20, 2014

85. LET’S JOIN HANDS FOR A ‘SWACHCH BHARAT’

87. The first destination of the Sulabh Swacchta Rath that was flagged off at the gala
celebrations of World Toilet Day at the Constitution Club, Connaught Place, New
Delhi was a Hirmathla village in Mewat, Haryana. The Rath is equipped with the
audio-visual gadgets and is expected to travel across the country, taking with it a
message related to the importance of toilets.
SULABH SWACCHTA RATH

89. HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI LAUDS
CLEANING AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC ASSI GHAT

91. Sulabh International Social Service Organisation
Sulabh Gram, Mahavir Enclave
Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi-110 045, India
Tel. No. : 91-11-25031518, 25031519; Fax : 91-11-25034014
Email : sulabhinfo@gmail.com / sulabhinfo1@gmail.com
Website : www.sulabhinternational.org /
www.sulabhtoiletmuseum.org/
www.sulabhenvis.in
We have miles to go before
we sleep…
Thanking You!